Leading multi-platform media company secures North American rights to the animation studio’s award-winning titles ‘Shaun the Sheep,’ ‘Wallace & Gromit,’ ‘Morph,’ and ‘Timmy Time.’
Leading multi-platform media company Shout! Factory and the Academy Award-winning animation studio Aardman have announced a North American distribution agreement for the studio’s award-winning quintessential titles Shaun the Sheep, Wallace & Gromit, Morph, and Timmy Time. Shout’s Executive Vice President of Kids & Family Melissa Boag and Aardman Head of Digital & Strategic Development Laura Taylor-Williams announced the deal.
The agreement provides Shout! Factory with exclusive physical home video, EST, TVOD rights, and limited theatrical rights in U.S. and Canada to four of Aardman’s most beloved properties.
Known for their world-class storytelling and one-of-a-kind animations, Aardman has garnered seven Academy Award nominations and four wins. They have delighted audiences for over 50 years with their unique brand of independent film, series content, games, and interactive experiences.
“We’re big fans of Aardman and these wonderful films and series and are very much looking forward to creating a release plan that excites dedicated fans and creates new ones,” said Boag. “Aardman’s worldwide reputation as an innovative home for compelling stories that captivate audiences make them an ideal partner for Shout! Factory.”
“We are thrilled to be entering into such a great partnership with Shout Factory, who are real experts in the physical and digital ownership space,” said Taylor-Williams. “To be delighting North American audiences once again with our much-loved catalog is key to our new strategy. We are collaborating on an exciting release schedule that will speak to ardent Aardman fans as well as bringing our joyful animations to new audiences.”
The distribution deal was negotiated by Boag and Jordan Fields, SVP of Acquisitions & Originals, on behalf of Shout! Factory, and Taylor-Williams and Alison Taylor, Director of Distribution for Aardman.
Source: Shout! Factory
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
